A Not-So-Sacrificial Maiden: A Standalone Prequel (A Knightess of the Realm Novel) Hardcover – March 12, 2026

What do you do when the King wants to turn you over to an Evil Wizard? Become a knight and fight the Wizard, of course!***Five years ago the Evil Wizard Henig turned the prosperous province of Taridawil into a Black Desert.One year ago, the Evil Wizard Henig slew Karana's parents.Now... seventeen-year-old Karana Metreedi survived a brutal winter in the Forest of Ryylyn - a full year with no human contact. She emerged to discover that Henig has demanded the King turn Karana over or the rest of the Realm will suffer Taridawil's fate.But Karana has responsibilities far beyond this one 'small' Realm. She's the Head of the most powerful merchant House in the world.Karana simply doesn't have time to serve as a Sacrificial Maiden - not that it looks like a choice she gets to make!Are you fond of feisty females who turn Fate on its ear, challenge the status quo, and set the guys around them straight - all in an exciting new fantasy world where dragons once roamed and might again? Then this is the book for you!***"I cry the King's mercy to not throw me - orphaned, alone, and helpless - into the hands of the Evil Wizard."Allow me to train, even as do thy knights and I shall see that the Evil Wizard must face Justice!"A bold claim. An arrogant one, even, that Karana could do what knights and armies could not.A ridiculous request - for the daughter of a commoner to enter knightly training at an age when the sons of nobles would be deemed too old. Was the look of hope on the King's Theolore's face merely a trick of the light?"Thou shalt have thy chance, dear maiden," King Theolore answered. "Thou takest upon thyself a nigh impossible task, however. Thou hast less than two full years from today - Midsummer's Day." "For upon the end of that time, whither thy preparation is complete or no, thee must face Henig in his dark citadel - for the good of the Realm." Read more